86 Class VI. Order III. 



The leaves of this plant are rush-like, smooth, fleshy, 

 flexible, and semicylindrical. They have a sweetish, not un- 

 pleasant taste. Stalk solitary, bearing a long, dense spike of 

 greenish flowers on very short pedicels. They have six leaves, 

 three of which may pass for calyx and three for petals. An- 

 thers nearly sessile. Salt marshes and ditches. June. Peren- 

 nial. 



The cultivation of this plant for oattle has been recommend* 

 ed. 



109. RUMEX. 

 RUMEX CRISPUS. L. Curled Dock. 



Calyx valves ovate, entire, all bearing grains ; 

 leaves lanceolate, waved, acute. 



Root fusiform. Stem furrowed, smooth. Leaves lanceo- 

 late, rather acute, waved and curled on the margin. Racemes 

 of half whorls, leafy towards the base. Valves enclosing the 

 seed heart-shaped, reticulated, very slightly serrate or repand 

 on the margin, each bearing a grain, of which one is much larg- 

 er than the other two. Rubbish and cultivated grounds. June. 

 Perennial. 



RUMEX OBTUSIFOLIUS. L. Broad leaved Dock. 



Valves toothed, one chiefly graniferous ; root 

 leaves heart-shaped, obtuse ; stem roughish. Sm. 



Grows in the same places as the last, but is somewhat later 

 in its appearance. Root more divided. Stem furrowed, rough 

 near the top. Leaves large, oblong, heart-shaped, obtuse at the 

 end ; the petiole and midrib often red on the upper side. Ca- 

 lyx leaves heart-shaped, reticulated, furnished with long, subu- 

 late teeth, one only bearing a full, distinct grain. July. Peren 

 nial. 



These two species, originally from Europe, are among our 

 most troublesome weeds. 



